Server Setup & Move
May 12, 2014
Presented by: forrest williams
Length: 40:19
You don't have to be a techie to watch the webinar this Friday. Forrestt Williams (IT Manager at Land F/X) explains how Land F/X works with a server; tells you how to set up, install, and move your licenses to multiple workstations; and provides recommendations on server hardware. Please feel free to share this webinar invitation with your IT support as well.
Additional resources:
Webinar Content
(note: The following catalog of content in this webinar is time stamped to allow you to follow along or skip to sections of the video that are relevant to your questions. You can also search for content on this page using the FIND command in your browser (CTRL + F in Windows, Command + F in Mac OS).
- Why Use a Server?
- How Land F/X Works With a Server
- Land F/X Server Requirements/Options
- Basic Configuration Concepts
- Server Move Steps
- Backup Recommendations
Note:Why does Land F/X need a server? Because Land F/X is as much a content management system as it is a program. (This content is a large amount of data, such as plant names and details, irrigation equipment, and site amenities.) As such, the software needs this data to be stored on a server. This will allow you to access the necessary data when you design and specify using Land F/X.
What many users don’t realize is that when you move your Land F/X installation, you also need to move your server as well – or at least tell Land F/X where to find this data. While you can a regular computer as your de facto Land F/X, we highly recommend using a dedicated server.
Network and File Security
You can have multiple users on your network and choose which users have access to which files/folders.
Reliability
Saving everything on a central server rather than on one of your local computers means that if one (or more) of your computers crashes, your data is still safe.
Central Data Storage
Ensures that everyone can have access to the same files, projects, documents, etc.
Central Backup
Backing up your files is always a must. A server allows for constant central backup.
What About Cloud Storage?
For a professional environment, we recommend using a server but using the cloud (e.g., Dropbox) as a backup. If you attempt to use the cloud as your server, you’ll sacrifice speed, efficiency, and functionality. Plus, if your Internet goes down, you won’t have access to any of your files.
Land F/X Projects (7:30)
Your list of Land F/X projects is stored on the server. When you open a project from within a CAD drawing (.dwg file), you’re accessing and pulling from what’s called a MySQL database. A database is essentially a structured library of information. (You can also think of it as a system of tables.) When you specify a plant to place in a drawing, for example, you’re accessing the plant, including its common name, genus and species, container/rootball size, etc. from this library/system of tables.
A video illustration of the relationship between your office computers (workstations) and your central server (8:40)
Server Licensing (9:34)
The License Management screen: Keep the licenses on the server rather than the individual workstations, and everyone will be able to access them. (9:34)
Land F/X is Reliant on MySQL. (10:56)
This means that any machine that can run a MySQL database can run Land F/X.
as a result …
Virtually Any Machine Except Simple NAS Devices Will Work as a Server. (11:22)
Mac, Linux, OC, QNAP servers (all can run MySQL)
Our Automated Installers Are Configured For Windows. (11:40)
For this reason, we recommend having a Windows server if you don’t have an IT department and/or are a little hesitant to perform the installation yourself. The Windows installer is automatic and is easy to troubleshoot.
A Few Servers We Recommend as of 2014 (12:20)
- QNAP HS-210 ($500)*
- Mac Mini Server ($999)*
- Dell Power Edge Server ($800)*
*Prices as of 2014
Quick demonstration of QNAP server (13:31)
Quick demonstration of Mac Mini server (14:40)
MySQL Database (16:31)
This database contains all Project File data
LandFX Folder (16:38)
It’s vital that all Land F/X users in your office have full read-write permissions for this folder. (17:00)
Steps for providing full read-write permissions to the LandFX folder (17:04):
- Right-click the LandFX folder.
- Select Properties.
- Select the Sharing tab.
- Click the Share button.
- In the File Sharing dialog box, add users by selecting them in the list and then clicking the Add button. You can also select Everyone.
- To grant full read-write permissions, right-click a user and select Read/Write from the menu that appears.
Demonstration of the contents of the LandFX folder: all Land F/X-related items besides the database (17:25)
Note: These steps apply to Land F/X users who are moving Land F/X from one single (standalone) computer to a new computer in a single-user office, who are moving Land F/X from an existing server to a new server, or who is moving all Land F/X data from a standalone computer to a server.
Use our automated script (located on the Move Land F/X Server instructions, linked below) to move:
- the MySQL Database export file
- all subfolders of the LandFX folder
The Move Land F/X Server instructions (19:40) (These steps cover the server move instructions described in this webinar.)
Server Move Instructions
Downloading and running the batch script (available at the link above) (20:20)
Backing up the Land F/X data in the “old-school dialog box” (20:25)
The LandFXCopy folder (created in the backup step) (check that the date on this folder is the date on which you are performing the backup) (20:40)
Note: Make sure the SQL file (listed last in the LandFXCopy folder) does not have a size of 0KB. This is an indication that something is wrong. (20:50)
Install Land F/X on the new server. (21:20)
Copy/paste the LandFXCopy folder into the LandFX folder on the new server. (Again, check that the SQL file is NOT 0KB.) (22:35)
In the “old-school dialog box,” press R to restore, and Y (for yes) to overwrite the data in the new Land F/X installation. (23:15)
Note that any projects from the LandFXCopy folder are now listed in the Projects dialog box. (23:50)
Resetting the license (24:40)
Opening a project to verify that the project data has been transferred successfully (24:30)
Question: Do you recommend a dedicated server for just running Land F/X? (25:07)
Answer: This is not necessary. The processing demands of our MySQL database are only about 1 to 2 gigabytes of data. However, we absolutely recommend using a server for Land F/X (it can be an existing server that runs other office functions as well).
Question: Can you compare some of the servers? (30:24)
QNAP has the correct horsepower for a 2- to 5-person office. It can handle up to 20 simultaneous users, but we don’t recommend more than 5.
Dell Poweredge server can handle up to 100 users.
Remember: You’ll need to stop the MySQL service before backing up your LandFX folder. Follow our Back Up & Restore MySQL Database instructions, which include an automated script to stop and back up the MySQL database. (34:45)
Your Backup Options
Land F/X offers several levels of backing up and restoring projects, including (35:54):
The Updates dialog box
The Projects dialog box
Land F/X also performs two different levels of automated backup. (37:16)
Note: Another advantage of a QNAP server: Each one comes with a certain amount of cloud backup (38:00)
Note: We recommend having a cloud-based backup option – not for robust file sharing, but for file/project backup.
Question: What do I need to do on the workstation end when I perform a server move? (39:09)
Answer: Just reconfigure the workstation to read the server. This is covered in Step 4 on our Move Land F/X Server documentation.
Contact
- Land F/X
Our software tailors AutoCAD®, Revit®, and SketchUp® to the needs of landscape architects, irrigation designers, and other professionals. We automate your most tedious tasks and ensure accuracy, giving you more time to design.